Hotel Baykal in Istanbul

12 July, 2023 | Hotel reviews | 30 seen

Hotel Baykal is located on the shores of Golden Horn in Unkapani, Istanbul.

This hotel is located about 3 km from the historical Sultanahmet area.  Free WiFi is accessible in all areas.

We booked Hotel Baykal for a 3-night stay at the end of May 2023 during our short trip to Istanbul. At the time of booking, we were just choosing the cheapest options available, and I have to say this was a bargain deal.

In total, we paid about USD 160 for our 3-day stay here, which is something really awesome. We could spend about $1,000 for a luxury stay, with access to swimming pools, a la carte restaurant, but this time we decided to save huge, and indeed this was quite a value deal.

For getting here from Sabiha Gocken airport I ordered airport shuttle for about EUR 60, directly at the airport, but you could use ride-sharin app like Bi-Taksi and save at least half of that, see: How to Get around Istanbul for cheap with this ride-sharing Taxi app

The rooms at Baykal Hotel feature a TV, wardrobe and heating. Each has a private bathroom. Some rooms also have sea views.

Located in a historic neighborhood with…

Ring in the New Year in Eilat: A Guide to the Top Attractions

11 July, 2023 | Travel guides | 37 seen

Eilat is a city in southern Israel that is well known for its sunny beaches and vibrant nightlife. The city is especially popular during the New Year's holiday season when visitors flock to the area to enjoy the warm weather and festive atmosphere. In this article, I'll explore some of the highlights of visiting Eilat around New Year's.

We come to Eilat, especially for New Year's Eve, and booked Herods Boutique hotel, paying about USD 750 for a 2-night stay. Might be a bit expensive, but the stay was awesome and it was New Year's Eve. We chose Israil Air to fly from Ben Gurion Airport to Ramon airport near Eilat for getting here, additonaly a taxi service form the airport. The domestic flight was about 1 hour. 

One of the main draws of Eilat is its stunning beaches. During the winter months, the water is still warm enough for swimming, and the beaches are less crowded than during the summer season. Some of the most popular beaches in Eilat include Coral Beach, Mosh's Beach, and Dolphin Reef. Visitors can relax on the sand, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or participate in water sports such as windsurfing or jet skiing.

Another popular activity in…

Our frame house has suffered significant damage due to the strong winds

7 July, 2023 | Frame House | 34 seen

Over the past few weeks, I have been fully engrossed in the laborious task of constructing our frame house from the ground up. Unfortunately, amidst the hustle and bustle of the construction process, I have been remiss in updating our progress on this blog. However, I regret to inform you that our endeavors have taken a devastating blow.

This past weekend marked a significant milestone as we completed the roof installation and eagerly commenced the placement of the crosswind sheet. With each passing day, we inched closer to the realization of our dream home. Today, as I was in the midst of finalizing the order for the metal roofing, I received some profoundly disheartening news.

A tumultuous storm, characterized by gales reaching an astounding speed of 21 meters per second, ravaged Latvia earlier today, on July 3, 2023. Tragically, our house fell victim to the unrelenting wrath of this tempestuous weather event.

The forceful winds unleashed their fury upon our fledgling structure, causing considerable damage that exceeded our worst fears. The heart-wrenching sight that greeted me upon surveying the aftermath was nothing short of a…

Elia Monastery near Dedoplis Tskaro

6 July, 2023 | Churches and Monasteries | 44 seen

Elia monastery is located in Kakheti, in the southern part of Dedoplistskaro, on a double-peak limestone mountain. The Temple of Saint Ilia Tezbiteli is located on Mount Elia since the sixth century. Many people gather here every August 2, on the day of the great prophet, Saint Ilia Tezbiteli. They overnight on a double-peaked mountain and pray at the bottom of the Elia rock.

I first learned about this beautiful place from our German friend Ralph, during the Vashlovani trip back in Summer 2021. Back then we didn't made a stop here, just passed it by and saw from the distance.

It was back in Summer of 2023 when we actually visited this place and I had a chance to make a few close-ups with a drone and iPhone.

Archaeological excavations prove that the temple of St. Ilia Tezbiteli, existed in the VI century, but the exact date of its construction is unknown. Its restoration was possible in 2006.

The only written note was kept by Alexandre Dumas, who saw the rock of Elia during his trip to Caucasus and Georgia in 1858 and made a brief entry: “There is another mountain, which is located about six miles from the…

How To Get pre-paid unlimited internet in Turkey with eSIM

5 July, 2023 | Travel guides | 36 seen

Staying connected while traveling is crucial in today's digital age, and having access to mobile internet is essential for most people.

Turkey, with its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. To ensure you stay connected during your trip, one convenient option is to use an eSIM (embedded SIM) for mobile internet. 

During our latest independent trip to Istanbul, I was exploring my options for getting a sim card with internet for my phone and was very happy to learn that there is actually eSIM available with prepaid unlimited internet for Turkey.

Instead of actually visiting some phone store, buying a sim card, and all that hassle, there is finally a service where you can get unlimited and prepaid internet in 5 minutes with the ease of a few clicks.

The service is called Holafly and cost only $19.00 for a 5-day usage with unlimited internet. See: International travel eSIM for Turkey

I was able to pay for this order by PayPal and got all the information on how to activate this service in my e-mail. in about 5 minutes it was all set and ready. 

For the…

The Top Beaches to Visit in Tel Aviv: Unwind and Relax by the Mediterranean Sea

4 July, 2023 | Travel guides | 42 seen

Tel Aviv is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Israel, known for its vibrant culture, nightlife, and beaches. With over 14 kilometers of coastline, Tel Aviv boasts some of the most beautiful and accessible beaches in the country.

During our latest trip to Israel I had a chance to spend a day in Tel Aviv's beaches and was left with that white envy feeling, how lucky Israelis are, having such nice beaches just in front of their city. Just amazing.

Coming back from the trip, I was reasearching more about Tel Aviv's beaches and here's a guide to the top beaches in Tel Aviv.

Frishman Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Tel Aviv. It's located near the city center and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The beach is well-equipped with showers, restrooms, sun loungers, and parasols, making it an ideal spot for families with kids. Frishman Beach also has a volleyball court and a fitness area, perfect for those looking to stay active during their beach day.

Gordon Beach is located in the heart of Tel Aviv and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The beach is wide…

Savanna Guest House in Dedoplis Tskaro

29 June, 2023 | Hotel reviews | 27 seen

Savanna Guest House is located on Mosulishvili Street 51 in the town of Dedoplis Tskaro.

We booked this guest house for a one-night stay at the start of June 2023, paying about gel 150 for a separate house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower, a living room, and a lovely outdoor space.

We keep returning to Dedoplis Tskaro because of the Eagle Canyon and this time we decided to extend our stay in the area by booking a guest house. and Savanna Guest house was our perfect match.

We had a free parking on the street. Little nice backyard and even a swing which made our 4-year old daughter very happy.

Very comfortable bed. The room even featured a desk, though I prefered to do my laptop work on the porch.

Each room comes with a private bathroom with a shower, while selected rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a fridge.

A continental, Full English/Irish or vegetarian breakfast is served at the property.

The guesthouse has a grill. You can play darts at Savanna Guest House, and the area is popular for cycling.

Despite the hguest hosue offered to serve us breakfast/dinner, we opted for little kitchen and cooded…

Discovering Jaffa: A Memorable Day Trip from Tel Aviv

27 June, 2023 | Travel guides | 19 seen

Jaffa is an ancient port city near Tel Aviv in Israel. Jaffa is known for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and Saint Peter as well as the mythological story of Andromeda and Perseus, and later for its oranges.

Today, Jaffa is one of Israel's mixed cities, with approximately 37% of the city being Arab. 

We had a chance to visit Jaffa and meet with our Latvian friend there at the start of 2023 during our latest trip to Israel.  

Jaffa is a fascinating destination for a day trip from Tel Aviv. The city is steeped in history, and its winding alleys, colorful markets, and beautiful architecture offer a unique glimpse into the past.

Getting to Jaffa from Tel Aviv is easy, with several transportation options available. One can take a bus, a train or even walk to Jaffa, which is about a 30-minute walk from the center of Tel Aviv. Alternatively, visitors can rent a bike or an electric scooter and make their way to Jaffa along the picturesque Tel Aviv-Jaffa promenade.

We come here by a taxi from Tel Aviv, paid about 25 New Shekels, and was taken there by a Georgian driver - Izrail.

Rafting & Birthday

24 June, 2023 | Living in Georgia | 20 seen

Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Restaurant on Chavchavadze

21 June, 2023 | Restaurant reviews | 95 seen

Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Restaurant on Chavchavadze Street (Vake district) is one of my favorite lunch places in the city - we keep heading to this place for dinner, as our company office is located just around the corner.

Also, the business quick & healthy lunch here is among the lowest priced in the city - you can get healthy and delicious food just for GEL 25 (prices as of 2023). 

Guests can choose from soups, salads, and starters + get fresh homemade lemonade for free. The menu is updated once in a while.

Besides delicious food, I love to come here to read local English newspapers and journals, like Georgia Today, Finnachnel, and others.

If you are not into the lunch menu, you are free to choose from the main menu.

One of the best finds in Tbilisi. Highly recommended!

The Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, Israel

20 June, 2023 | Shopping Venues | 52 seen

The Carmel Market (also, the Shuk Hacarmel) is the largest market, or shuk, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

It’s a vibrant marketplace where traders sell everything from clothing to spices and fruit to electronics.

Visiting the Carmel Market is a fascinating thing to do in Tel Aviv. The hustle and bustle, vibrant noises, and its reputation as the largest shuk in Tel Aviv all combine to make the Carmel Market a favorite.

I first visited this market at the start of 2023, during our New Year's trip to Israel. 

Everyone from first-time tourists visiting the city to locals who come here to get the freshest fruit and vegetables till the alleyways.

The Carmel Market first opened in 1920, some eleven years after the establishment of the city. It is an integral part of the history of Tel Aviv. Although much of the trade has now shifted to modern malls and the internet, the market is still immensely popular. Its narrow street is busy whenever you visit, particularly before Shabbat on Thursdays and Fridays, as residents buy supplies for their family meals. Recent years have seen a growing number of boutique stalls and food places opening alongside the…

Eagle Canyon and Dedoplis Tskaro (2023)

16 June, 2023 | Living in Georgia | 25 seen

How to Install Drupal 10 with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.1, MySQL, phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 23.04 - Linode Guide

15 June, 2023 | Servers | 1,622 seen

In this article, you will learn how to set up a webserver for serving Drupal websites running with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.1, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 23.04

For the following tutorial, I used very much the information from my previous guide with 22.04, but I decided to rewrite it for Ubuntu 23.04 version as it is shipped with php8.1 version and will work with Drupal 10 (most probably with previous versions too)

If you need any assistance configuring servers or working with Drupal, consider hiring me at the Terramatris website

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 23.04 
• Root privileges.

You can get a cheap VPS starting at just $5/mo from Linode. That's what I did - bought a new nanode from Linode

Literally, in a couple of seconds, the new server was up and running - that's what I love about sticking with Linode for years

Follow the basic security guide, see: Securing Your Server

I will use Terminal from MAC to access  over SSH (Windows users could use Putty)

Create the user, replacing …

Discovering Sri Lanka: A Journey near Indian Ocean from Colombo to Galle

14 June, 2023 | Travel guides | 30 seen

At the start of 2022, we traveled to Sri Lanka for about a two-week-long life-changing journey.

In this article, I'm sharing my travel notes with listing places of interest we visited. Also, make sure to watch our short video from this trip: Sri Lanka, Colombo, Bentota and Galle

The Tbilisi-Doha flight was good, with plenty of legroom. The plane seemed a bit outdated, a Boeing A230. But for a less than 3-hour flight, it was very decent.

The biggest surprise came at the Doha Airport, where we had reserved a business lounge with an option to stay at the so-called cubicles. It turned out they were on a first-served basis. I thought, "Alright, we got scammed."

Nevertheless, after some 40 minutes, we got our cubicle. It was nothing fancy, but better than nothing. We managed to get some sleep at our cubicle, and soon we were boarding the next plane departing for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On the plane, I met a nice Sri Lankan software developer. We talked a bit, and he told me about Asian careers in Qatar. It turned out he hadn't been home for two years because of the pandemic.

Before booking the plane, we reserved Hilton Apartments in…

Mayer House Hotel in Tel Aviv

13 June, 2023 | Hotel reviews | 20 seen

Mayer House Hotel in Tel Aviv is located on  Dizengoff Street 98. It featured an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, a restaurant, and a bar.

We booked this hotel for a 2-night stay at the start of 2023, before returning back to Tbilisi. We paid about USD 430 for a 2-night stay here.

Thsi small hotel has an excellent location, from here we were able to explore the neighbourhood, visit the Tel Aviv beach and more.

The property is close to several well-known attractions, 400 m from Dizengoff Center, 800 m from Meir Park and 1.3 km from Shenkin Street. The property is 500 m from the city centre and less than 1 km from Frishman Beach.

The room was really tiny, thus it had enough space to fit an extra bed for ur 4 year old daughter.

Looks rather small, and we didnt actually try it this time. But I like the ideas of rooftoip pools. Remind me one we visited in Colombo, Sri Lanka, see: Hotel Marino Beach Colombo

The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi is accessible to all…